Insect pests of Tasmanian blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus globulus, in south-western Australia: History, current perspectives and future prospects

Trends in, and potential causes of, insect pest problems of the Tasmanian blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus globulus, in south-western Australia are reviewed. Historical evidence suggests that insect pest problems of E. g. globulus in south-western Australia have greatly increased in the last 10 years, which corresponds to a time of rapid expansion of the blue gum industry in the region. Current major establishment pests include the African black beetle, Heteronychus arator, spring beetles, Liparetrus spp. and Heteronyx spp., and the wingless grasshopper, Phaulacridium vittatum. Current major pests of established trees are the Eucalyptus weevil, Gonipterus scutellatus, and chrysomelid beetles, Chrysophtharta spp. and Cadmus excrementarius. The occurrence of these insects on an introduced eucalypt is not unexpected because insect-rich native eucalypt forests dominate the landscape where E. g. globulus plantations are grown. Insect damage may also be exacerbated because E. g. globulus is grown as a monoculture.